A movie marathon day turned chaotic adventure kicks off this special episode marking a new era for the podcast. Rob shares his ambitious feat of watching four movies across three different theaters in a single day—complete with bizarre audience encounters, a medical emergency, and the controversial decision to walk out of "The Materialist" before its conclusion. From the stunning visuals of "How to Train Your Dragon" to the backward-told narrative of "The Life of Chuck," Rob's cinema journey reveals what happens when passion for film meets marathon endurance.

The big announcement finally arrives: Brandon Cole officially joins as permanent co-host! This partnership immediately proves its chemistry as the duo dives into their cinematic perspectives. Together they recap the first half of 2024's movie offerings, categorizing releases into distinct tiers from outstanding hits to disappointing misses. "Sinners" and "Thunderbolts" earn unanimous praise, while they debate the merits of films like "Amateur" and "The Accountant 2."

Looking ahead, excitement builds for upcoming blockbusters, with Superman and Fantastic Four generating particular enthusiasm. The hosts analyze release scheduling strategies and predict which films will dominate the summer box office. The conversation takes a creative turn as they draft dream casts for a hypothetical next installment in the Knives Out franchise, with actors like Florence Pugh, Glenn Powell, Donald Glover, and Zach Efron making their fantasy lineup.

Whether you're planning your next theater visit or seeking streaming recommendations, this episode delivers thoughtful film analysis wrapped in entertaining conversation. Subscribe now to join Rob and Brandon on their journey through cinema's latest offerings, and don't forget their parting suggestion to revisit Interstellar—a timeless masterpiece worth experiencing again.

Ana de Armas takes center stage in "Ballerina," expanding the John Wick universe through the story of a vengeful assassin trained from childhood who returns to kill those responsible for her father's murder.

• Ballerina fits seamlessly into the John Wick universe, taking place between John Wick 3 and 4
• Ana de Armas brings a unique fighting style focused on explosives and grenades rather than John Wick's signature gun-fu
• The film serves as an origin story, showing how Eve develops from a slightly inexperienced assassin to a formidable force
• Keanu Reeves makes several appearances as John Wick, though these sometimes overshadow the main character's development
• The gun shop tunnel sequence stands out as one of the most impressive action scenes in the film
• The third act features an innovative fight with flamethrowers that demonstrates the character applying lessons from her training
• The movie ends with a cliffhanger setting up potential sequels, with Eve receiving a bounty on her head
• New characters are introduced who could become franchise staples, particularly the gun shop owner
• Ballet training serves as the foundation for assassination skills, emphasizing the discipline and physical demands of both worlds
• While the action choreography impresses, the plot remains relatively simple with a straightforward revenge narrative

If you enjoyed this expansion of the John Wick universe, keep an eye out for upcoming installments including John Wick 5, the prequel series The Continental on Peacock, and potential sequels to Ballerina.

Rob Miranda and martial arts expert Brandon Knight dissect the Karate Kid franchise, from the 1984 original to the new Karate Kid Legends film, exploring what makes these movies enduring cultural touchstones.

• Brandon shares his expertise as a martial artist with black belts in four different disciplines
• Both hosts discuss upcoming horror releases including new Alien and Predator projects
• The original Karate Kid's production history, including Pat Morita not being the first choice for Mr. Miyagi
• Examination of how the new film incorporates elements from both the original trilogy and the 2010 Jackie Chan version
• Critique of martial arts tournaments in films versus reality
• Discussion of the safe, family-friendly approach taken by Karate Kid Legends compared to the original
• Overview of Cobra Kai's success and how it revitalized interest in the franchise
• Excitement for upcoming martial arts films including The Smashing Machine and Mortal Kombat 2

Check out Brandon's martial arts movie podcast "Kung Fu Pizza Party" on all major platforms and follow @kungfupizzaprty on social media for more martial arts movie discussions.

We analyze whether The Accountant 2 improves upon its predecessor as Ben Affleck returns as Christian Wolff, the autistic mathematical genius who serves as both accountant and assassin.

• Ben Affleck delivers a more nuanced performance of autism in the sequel, showing detailed mannerisms and speech patterns
• The movie portrays autism almost as a superpower rather than a limitation
• John Bernthal returns as Christian's brother, with their relationship forming the emotional core of the film
• The plot focuses on solving a Treasury chief's murder and rescuing a kidnapped Mexican family
• The sequel features more hand-to-hand combat versus the shooting-heavy approach of the first film
• The storyline sets up potential for a third installment
• We also discuss Hot Tub Time Machine (2010) as a perfect background comedy with nostalgic 80s references
• Modern comedies struggle to match the unfiltered humor of earlier decades
• Both films receive similar ratings (6-7.5/10) but for very different reasons

Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan's fifth collaboration "Sinners" combines Southern blues, vampire horror, and family drama into a genre-bending masterpiece set in 1930s America. The film follows twin brothers who return to their plantation hometown to open a juke joint, only to encounter an ancient evil that threatens their community.

• Michael B. Jordan delivers a remarkable dual performance as twins Smoke and Stack
• Ryan Coogler wrote and directed his first original screenplay not based on existing IP
• The film intentionally builds character for 80 minutes before introducing vampire elements
• The standout one-take musical sequence transitions through Black musical history
• Traditional vampire mythology is effectively incorporated while maintaining historical context
• The IMAX presentation enhances several key sequences with aspect ratio changes
• Strong supporting performances from Hailee Steinfeld and newcomer Miles Caton as Preacher Boy
• Mid-credits scene provides emotional closure while maintaining the film's stakes
• Themes of family obligation, redemption, and cultural preservation run throughout

See "Sinners" in IMAX for the full experience of Coogler's most ambitious and visually stunning film to date.

Chris Fritza, kickboxer and real estate agent, shares his journey from childhood martial arts to preparing for his upcoming MMA debut on June 7th. He discusses his fighting philosophy, training regimen, and mental approach while we review fighting movies Roadhouse and The Amateur.

• Real estate agent by day, MMA fighter by night
• Started martial arts in fifth grade, always wanted to fight professionally
• Views fighting as "movement therapy" rather than an outlet for anger
• Follows the philosophy "you don't experience life, you experience what you focus on"
• Advises aspiring fighters to simply "go to the next class" rather than seeking secret techniques
• Trains approximately 6-8 hours weekly at Team Cologne
• Currently has a 1-1 record in kickboxing, making MMA debut on June 7th
• Reviews the Jake Gyllenhaal/Conor McGregor film Roadhouse
• Discusses differences between Hollywood fighting and real MMA
• Provides insights on Rami Malek's thriller The Amateur

Follow Chris on Instagram and look up Premier MMA for information about his upcoming fight at Gary Union Hall on June 7th.